The Root of the Matter is a quest in ARC Raiders where you need to go to the Research Building in the Buried City, find the “room with a great view,” and interact with a seed vault (a cylindrical container) to complete the objective. The main challenge is not the task itself, but finding the correct room and identifying the vault quickly.
This guide will show you exactly where to go, how to recognize the right room, what the seed vault looks like, and how to finish the quest without confusion.
What The Root of the Matter Is
The Root of the Matter is a location-based quest. It is not about collecting materials or fighting a boss. Instead, you are solving a clue and finding a specific object inside a building.
Most players get stuck because the quest description is vague. The phrase “room with a great view” does not clearly tell you where to go unless you already know the building layout. Once you understand that clue, the quest becomes simple and quick.
The area itself can still be dangerous, especially around Marano Park, so it is important to move with a plan instead of wandering around.
Where to Go: Research Building Location
You need to head to the Research Building in the Buried City. This is the main location for the quest.
The building is usually found near the Marano Park area, which is known for having more activity, including enemies and sometimes other players. Because of this, it is better to approach carefully instead of rushing in.
When you reach the building, focus on getting inside quickly and moving toward the correct section instead of exploring everything. This is not a loot run — your goal is the quest.
How to Find the “Room with a Great View”
This is the most important part of the quest.
The correct room is:
- on the west side of the Research Building
- has a large window
- the window looks out over Marano Park
When you enter the building, do not search every room randomly. Move with purpose and look for a room that clearly stands out because of its open space and large window view.
The easiest way to recognize it is:
👉 if you can clearly see outside toward the park through a big window, you are likely in the right room.
If the room feels closed or does not have a strong outside view, it is not the correct one.
Helpful ways to find quest locations faster without confusion:
What the Seed Vault Looks Like
Once you are inside the correct room, the next step is finding the seed vault.
The vault is usually described as:
- a cylindrical container
- a cryogenic-style device
- placed inside the room, often near a wall or clearly visible spot
It does not look like normal loot. It stands out more like a special device.
👉 If you see a container that looks different from regular items and allows interaction, that is your target.
Objective
Find the seed vault in the room with a great view inside the Research Building and interact with it to complete the quest objective.
Step-by-Step: How to Complete The Root of the Matter
Follow these steps to finish the quest smoothly.
Step 1: Accept the Quest
Make sure the quest is active before entering the raid.
Step 2: Go to Buried City
Start your run and head directly toward the Buried City.
Step 3: Reach the Research Building
Move toward the building near Marano Park and enter it carefully.
Step 4: Find the West-Side Room
Look for a room with a large window that overlooks the park. Do not waste time searching every room.
Step 5: Locate the Seed Vault
Inside that room, find the cylindrical container or cryogenic device.
Step 6: Interact with the Vault
Use the interaction to complete the main objective.
Step 7: Leave Safely
Once the interaction is done, leave the area and finish the quest safely.
Do You Need to Extract?
This is where many players get confused.
Some guides say the quest completes as soon as you interact with the seed vault. Others suggest you should extract safely after picking up the item.
👉 The safest approach is simple:
- complete the interaction
- leave the area safely
- extract if possible
This way, you avoid any risk of losing progress and ensure the quest is completed without issues.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Many players fail this quest because of small mistakes.
- going to the wrong room
- searching the entire building without direction
- missing the vault because they don’t know what it looks like
- staying too long in a high-risk area
- assuming the quest is bugged
If you follow the correct path, the quest is actually very simple.
The Root of the Matter Not Working?
If the quest is not progressing, check these:
- You are not in the correct room
- You missed the seed vault
- You interacted with the wrong object
- You did not leave safely after completing the objective
In most cases, the problem is location confusion. Go back and focus on finding the correct room again.
How to Make This Quest Easier
The best way to complete this quest is to keep things simple.
Go in with a low-risk mindset, move directly to the building, and avoid unnecessary fights. If you are short on required items or want to save time, getting ARC Raiders materials can help you prepare faster before the run. Do not treat this like a full exploration run. The faster you find the room, the easier the quest becomes.
Once you understand what the room looks like, you can complete this quest in a single clean run.
Rewards
Completing The Root of the Matter gives you useful rewards and helps you progress further in the game. It also unlocks more quests, so finishing it is important for overall progression.
Move forward faster and avoid getting stuck on similar objectives:
Final Thoughts
The Root of the Matter feels confusing at first because of the vague clue, but it is actually a simple quest once you understand it.
The key is to:
- find the Research Building
- identify the correct room with the large window
- locate the seed vault quickly
Once you do that, the quest becomes fast and easy to complete.
If you are missing access items or struggling to open certain areas consistently, having the right ARC Raiders keys can make your runs much smoother.
FAQs
Where is The Root of the Matter in ARC Raiders?
It takes place in the Research Building in the Buried City, near Marano Park.
What is the “room with a great view”?
It is a west-side room with a large window overlooking the park.
What does the seed vault look like?
It is a cylindrical, cryogenic-style container that stands out from normal loot.
Do you need to extract?
Not always required, but extracting safely is the best approach.

